The years roll by and Uriah Heep just keeps on keepin’ on. I reviewed the band’s last album a few years ago and concluded that not only was Uriah Heep still kicking, but they were writing songs with a vitality of bands a quarter of their age. It’s amazing that the band is still going after so long, but they are showing no signs of slowing down. Now the band is back, largely the same but with new bass player Davey Rimmer, with their astonishing 24th studio album, OUTSIDER.

At this point in their career, the Heep are certainly not going to be changing what they do, so it’s a safe assumption that OUTSIDER is packed full of the guitar & keyboard driven hard rock that the band has been known for since …VERY ‘EAVY…VERY ‘UMBLE appeared way back in 1970. Indeed, this album is exactly what one expects from Uriah Heep, and it easily contributes a couple more classics to the band’s bulging canon of songs, particularly the moody “One Minute”, where vocalist Bernie Shaw shines in delivering the song’s motivational message.

At this stage of the game, Heep albums are most or less varying degrees of the same formula and OUTSIDER isn’t quite up to par with the band’s best work. It’s not a poor album by any means but too many songs, like the rote “Rock the Foundation” or “Jessie” are clear fillers that can’t compete with the best songs, even from their last album, INTO THE WILD.

Having said all that, OUTSIDER will please the band’s fans regardless; the music is unmistakeably Heep, the band can still play the heck out of their instruments, and it all can’t help but bring a smile to your face. Long live Uriah Heep.

Track Listing

1. Speed of Sound
2. One Minute
3. The Law
4. The Outsider
5. Rock the Foundation
6. Is Anybody Gonna Help Me?
7. Looking at You
8. Can’t Take That Away
9. Jessie
10. Kiss the Rainbow
11. Say Goodbye